Loggers Rep U.S. at Vancouver 7s

The Washington Loggers are competing at the 4th annual Vancouver Sevens Invitational 7s, the amateur tournament that precedes the men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series stop at BC Place. The team will compete in the Girls U18 Elite division from March 5-6 and face BC Blue, Ontario Jr. Blues and Rugby Canada Development Academy during pool play. Games will be live-streamed here: https://www.facebook.com/pg/bcrugbyunion/videos/

Seattle Saracens’ Lauren Barber and Carly MacKinnon continue to lead the state select side program and held seven training sessions to ready for the event. That amount of time not only allowed the players to coalesce into a team, but also helped integrate new coaches, and fellow Sarries, Emily Barber, Erica Legaspi, Christa Banks, Hali Deters, Uche Esonu and Emily Colesworthy blend. Five of the seven coaches traveled to B.C. this week, so players will receive a lot of attention.

Nine of the 12 players are returning Loggers, including captains Elise Norris (Kent) and Tee Teaupa (Rainier), who will set the tone for the two-day event. Watch for Malia Ili (Kent) who is also a returner, but the Girls High School All-American pool player out of Federal Way is making her first 7s appearance.

Isabella Evans (Kent) is also young in 7s and will play in her second-ever tournament as a Logger. The Lake Stevens resident is a crossover from basketball and picking up the game quickly as she shifts focus to rugby.

Celeste Chua (Kent), Hailey Bown (Liberty) and Tirzah Pelton (Liberty) make their first appearances for the select side. Bown is the picture of dedication, training with the local boys team in Spokane during the week and traveling to the western side of the state to play with Liberty. She then drove more than four hours to Sunday Loggers practices in Auburn.

As for desired outcomes this tournament, MacKinnon wants to see the team “adapt and play what’s in front of us as we take on new teams and high IQ rugby athletes.”

The VSI marks the first of three events for the Loggers this season. In June the 15s squad will compete in Great Northwest Challenge, a Regional Cup Tournament, in Yakima, Wash., and then return to the North American Invitational 7s in Salt Lake City at the end of July.

WA LOGGERS @ VSI

Alexa Valenciano – Rainier Highlanders *

Celeste Chua – Kent Crusaders

Christina Osier – Kent Crusaders *

Elise Norris – Kent Crusaders *

Gracie Sarginson – Liberty *

Hailey Bown – Liberty

Isabella Evans – Kent Crusaders *

Lily Content – Liberty *

Malia Ili – Kent Crusaders *

Sadie Schier – Kent Crusaders *

Tee Teaupa – Rainier Highlanders *

Tirzah Pelton – Liberty

* Returning Loggers